“I Became Character in Gulliver’s Travels.”

When you enter the Miniature Theme Park located in Seogwang Intersection, Andeok-myeon, Namjeju-gun, you get the impression that you are going into a miniature village in a fairy tale. The theme park, built on a site of 20,000 pyeong (1 pyeong=3.3 square meters), showcases 108 miniatures of famous architectural structures located at home and abroad. Those miniatures are all recreated in 1/20 or 1/25 miniature proportion. You can see architectural styles of the East and West from the miniatures such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, Jageumseong Palace of China, Osaka Castle of Japan, the Parthenon of Greece, the White House of the U.S., pyramid of Egypt and Taj Mahal of India.

It is also somewhat interesting to appreciate famous domestic structures such as Gyeonghoi-ru, Seoul station, Cheomseongdae observation tower and Bulsuksa Temple. 22 meters of fossil dinosaur, head statues unique to Jeju Island, shrine and rocks of fantastic shape called “General Obaek” also attract people’s attention.

Among visitors who came with family members are 20 preschoolers seen. They visited here for study. A guiding teacher is explaining something to them indicating information written on a rock, while some kids are giggling.

“This Jageumseong Palace was built against the aggression of enemies. Someone knows how long it is? It says that it is 6,400 kilometers long. It can be seen even from the Moon.”

“I saw it on TV.”

Jageumseong Palace of China, Bulsuksa Temple and Soyang-gang dam, which are often mentioned on TV or in books, are popular among visitors. Those structures are made delicately by hand, and Jageumseong took one and a half years to make.

The 12 meter tall Buddha statue in the middle of the theme park gives the lesson “to throw away self-conceit.”

This kind of miniature theme park started in Britain in 1940, and the most famous one in the world is Madurodam in the Netherland.

Through the miniatures of the world famous architectural buildings and cultural assets, you can take a look at history and culture, so this is a good place for family outing and study trip.

Admission fee is 6,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for adolescents, and 3,000 won for young kids and senior citizens. It opens from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in summer season and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in winter season.

You can also make a piece of china on your own in a pottery kiln (5,000-15,000 won for a piece). Many people make mugs or small statues called “Dolharbang” and they can receive them later through home-delivery service.

In a shop, you can draw on a small mask as pendant of necklace (3,000-10,000 won each). Also paper buildings of the famous structures in the park are on sale (7,000-10,000 each).

The miniatures give different feelings according to weather. In a foggy day or misty rain, they show their dynamic images. They are not just small versions of famous structures. Rather, they are more like art works. (Hong Seung-man, chief of the sales team of the Miniature Theme Park)

If you start From Jeju International Airport or Jeju port, pass through downtown Jeju-si, get on road 95(western tour road), pass Jeju Race Track and Green Resort. Then at Donggwang Intersection, head for Daejeong-up. After about 5 minute drive, you will arrive at Seogwang Intersection. Turn right, you can find the park. If you start from Seoguipo-si, follow road 12 and get past Chungmun complex and Changcheon-ri, Andeok-myeon. Then, at Sangchang Intersection, go to Seogwang-ri.

Tel. 064-794-5400

www.soingook.com

Jae-Young Im jy788@donga.com